The High Court yesterday dealt a blow to President William Ruto’s government after it suspended the importation of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) crops and food into the country.

Justice Mugure Thande issued the temporary orders even as Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi maintained the government would bring GMO foods and crops if there was a need for it since the Cabinet had already pronounced its position.

Linturi, who spoke yesterday at a media briefing with the Council of Governors (CoG) on the status of food security in the country reiterated the government’s resolve to import GMO foods and crops, it would make sure the necessary precautionary measures are taken.

“There are certain protocols that guide the use of GMOs, and because we are cognizant that the life and health of the people are so important, we will allow the experts to speak on some of the things that are in contention from a scientific point of view,” said Linturi.

He noted food and health were critical in Ruto’s administration and therefore the decision will be determined by cogent evidence that links GMO to cancer or other issues of contention.

The CS however declined to comment on his Trade counterpart Moses Kuria’s remarks on the importation of maize saying it was not worth responding to.

“I am not aware of what Kuria said and I do not think anything I find in social media is something worth responding to, because I am the custodian of the statistics on how much food is required in this country and how much food is consumed every day, so I don’t want to get into that space,” he said.

Linturi noted that his technical team had worked on all the deficits in terms of maize, beans, rice and whatever is required of the country to ensure that immediately after the current harvest, the country does not lack food in February, March and towards August.

“I will be making a more comprehensive statement to inform parliament and the country of the food situation in the country and the intervening period on whatever is supposed to be done… I will do it because we have a responsibility as a government to ensure there is food. I want to give you a position that I will be able to defend so relax, you will have food,” he said.

Linturi noted that his ministry and the CoG had resolved to form a technical team of seven people to spearhead the process of reviewing all the policies and legal issues within the agriculture sector and report back within four weeks.

Harnessing technology

Speaking at a different event, President Ruto refrained from addressing the GMO issue, instead maintaining that the government was committed to harnessing technology to boost agricultural production.

Speaking while opening the Twiga Foods Distribution Centre in Ruiru, Kiambu County, President Ruto said the adoption of technology and innovation is the catalyst for this transformation and farmers who embrace technology can enhance their productivity and boost their earnings.

He however did not address the GMO issue even as the High Court stopped the government plan to gazette and import GMO foods.

The orders were issued following a suit filed by Kenyan Peasants League – a lobby group representing peasant farmers.

The lobby group which is the second to file a GMO petition after lawyer Paul Mwangi, claim the lifting of the ban and removing regulatory protocols imposed in 2012 is unprocedural and unlawful.

Health risk

According to them, GMO products pose a health risk to Kenyans, particularly the poor and those with low incomes.

“The Applicant decries the manner in which such a major declaration on the importation and cultivation of GMO maize was never subjected to public participation, neither are the contents of reports, if any, that preceded the making of the said decision been subjected to public participation of stakeholders,” they say in court documents.

It is their case that they are apprehensive that the GMO if permitted into the country will gravely affect their farming and crop production as peasants thereby affecting their productivity and sustainability.

“There is a real apprehension that the GMOs have health effects that may compromise the right to health, dignity, and right to life of the Applicant and of the general public unless the conservatory orders set out herein are granted,” they argued.

Justice Mugure Thande directed the Petition and Application to be served upon all parties and the matter to be mentioned on December 15 for further directions.